Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Here's a simple crockpot recipe for pulled pork sandwiches. Perfect for winter days like we've been having recently. You'll LOVE how yummy the house will smell when these are cooking.

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs. Boneless Pork Top Loin
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 can cola (can be diet if desired)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook covered, on high for 5-6 hours, or until meat is very tender. Shred pork with two forks. Serve on rolls. These are great served with potato skins for a football party.

Onion Crusted Pork Chops

Another recipe found on a can we already had in the pantry! This recipe makes pork chops breaded with French's crispy french-fried Onions. We like to serve them with mashed potatoes and a salad.

Ingredients:

• 4 thick cut boneless pork chops


• 2 tablespoons flour


• 2 cups French's Onions


• 1 egg, beaten.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.


• combine flour and onions in a large ziplock and crush onions to crumbs with rolling pin.


• Pat excess moisture from pork chops


• dip pork chops in beaten egg, and then coat with flour/onion mixture. Pat firmly to make sure they're well covered.


• bake for 20-25 minutes, or until meat is cooked through.

Baked Rigatoni

I'm not sure how I "lost" this recipe, but I looked everywhere for it for weeks, and suddenly it was back in my recipe basket. Hooray! This recipe comes from my old boss, Denise Goldman, who had adapted another recipe to fit her family's low fat lifestyle.

The original recipe makes a 9x13 pan, but I like to split the casserole into two 8x8s. I cook one and freeze one for later use. If you choose to do the same, make the whole recipe as directed, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Move from Freezer to Fridge for about 24 hours prior to cooking, and allow to warm to room temperature in the last hour. Then bake as directed.

Ingredients:
12 oz. pkg. Whole Grain Rigatoni
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsifted flour (I use whole wheat)
4 cups milk
4 teaspoons chicken boullion
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 pound cubed cooked ham
10 oz. pkg mixed veggies

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In large pan, cook onion in oil until tender
3. Stir in flour, then milk and boullion. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly; remove from heat.
4. Stir in one cup cheese, stir until melted
5. Combine noodles, sauce, ham and veggies. Pour into a greased 13x9" dish. Top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake 30 minutes or until hot & bubbly.

Serve with french bread & salad.

A new favorite - Caramel Apple Pork Chops

This recipe comes from my Sister, and it might be my new fall favorite! If you have the Pampered Chef Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer, this is a good time to get it out! A paring knife or veggie peeler will work too.

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tart apples, peeled, cored & sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in warmed pan. Cook 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly browned. Transfer to an oven safe dish, and pop in oven to keep warm. (250 degrees should be a good temp).
In a small bowl, combine sugar & spices. Add butter to skillet and stir in spices and apples. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove apples to the small bowl and cook sauce uncovered until thickened slightly.
To serve, divide apples over chops and spoon sauce on top. Sprinkle with Pecans.
I think a bacon-cheddar mashed potato compliments these chops nicely.

Store to table in one hour - Pork Chops

Hubby’s favorite Pork Chops Dinner

Now this recipe is really simplistic. But we never ate pork chops when I was growing up, so I didn’t know how to cook them. Maybe you're in the same situation, or you just haven't thought of pork chops in a while. But they’re a cheap, lean protein, and make a quick meal!

Ingredients:

• Pork chops (thick cut is served in our house, but get whatever you like.) [4.29 for two]
• 1 packet gravy mix. (Hunter gravy, roasted pork gravy, brown gravy, it’s up to you!) [1.79]
  

Directions:
In a large skillet, drizzle a little olive oil, and brown the pork chops. You’ll probably cook the first side about 5 minutes over medium heat, and then turn. While the chops get golden brown, mix the gravy packet with about 2 cups water. (This is probably more than the packet recommends, but it will cook down.) When the second side of the pork chops are browned, pour the gravy into the skillet. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your pork chops. It’s pretty hard to over-cook these, so they’re a good option when you’re waiting for a hubby to get home.

We serve almost all meats with a veggie, and a starch. For these chops, I like steamed broccoli [1.29] and a rice pilaf [1.89] (Rice-a-roni is your friend!)

[Total price is about 10.00 for the full meal, or about $5 per serving]